Louver type awning and operating mechanism therefor



May 7, 1957 c. R. WAGNER 2,791,009

LOUVER TYPE AWNING AND QPERATING MECHANISM THEREFOR I Filed April 16,1953 2 Shets-Sheet 1 3 .5 INVENTOR.

Char/es Raymond Wagner.

37 ATTORNEI S May 7, 1957 C. R. WAGNER LOUVER TYPE AWNING AND OPERATINGMECHANISM THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1953 INVENTOR.Char/es Raymond Wu A TTORNE vs.

United States Patent LQUVER TYPE AWNING AND OPERATING MECHANISM THEREFORCharles Raymond Wagner, Cotfeyville, Kans.

Application April 16, 1953, Serial No. 349,206

2 Claims. (Cl. 20-575) This invention relates to awnings adapted toproject from the sides of a building for shading windows, entrances andthe like, and particularly to awnings composed of louvers or fins forproviding openings for ventilation.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an awning of thistype wherein the fins or louvers are easily adjusted by means of asimple mechanism operated from the interior of the building.

Further objects of the invention .are to provide a louvered awning witha depending or drop portion that cooperates with a roof portion; toprovide a link mechanism between the drop and roof portions foreffecting simultaneous adjustment of the louvers in their respectiveportions so that when the louvers in the roof portion are closed thelouvers in the drop portion are open for ventilation and to permit viewtherebetween; and to provide a simple actuating mechanism that isreadily mounted Without materially altering the building structure towhich the awning is to be attached.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention I haveprovided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustratedin the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an awning constructed in accordance withthe present invention and showing the awning protecting a window of abuilding.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the awning and window particularlyillustrating the louver operating mechanism, the louvers in the roofportion being closed and the louvers in the drop portion being open.

Fig. 3 is a similar section but showing all of the louvers in openposition.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view particularly illustrating theconnection between the louvers and the operating mechanism therefor.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section through the side wall of the buildingparticularly illustrating the operating shaft by which the louvers aremanipulated from the inside of the building.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section showing a modified form of connectionbetween the links connecting the louvers of the roof and drop sectionsof the awning.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of adjustment betweenthe sections of the operating rod. I

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates an awning constructed in accordance with the presentinvention and which includes side frames 2 and 3 which may be formed oftubular angle or channel stock. Each side frame includes a sloping orrafter portion 4, a terminal drop portion 5 forming an obtuse angle withthe portion 4- and a substantially horizontal brace portion 6. The endsof the portions 4 and 6 are provided with suitable fittings 7 and 8 forattachment to the easement of a window or the like 9. The portions ofthe side frames may be formed as'a single part, or theportions may besecured together ,by suitable fit:

2,791,0053 Patented May 7, 1957 tings as indicated at 10. The frames maybe connected at the ends of the drop portions by a crossbar 11 tomaintain stability.

Journalled in the sloping portions 4 and 5 of the respective side framesare a series of trunnions 12, the trunnions being spaced apart along thelength of said portions 4 and 5 for attaching the respective ends oflouvers 13. The louvers are connected midway of their width by means ofclips 14 so that each louver is balanced about its axis of oscillation.The louvers 13 may be formed of any suitable material such as sheetmetal and have flat body portions 15 terminating in oppositely anglingedge portions 16 and 17 whereby the marginal edge portions of thelouvers carried by the portions 4- overlap to effect a substantiallytight closure of the louvers to provide roof section 20 of the awning asshown in Figs. 1 and 2. The louvers 13 that are carried by the dropportions 5 are preferably of like construction but the edges thereof donot need to overlap as it is desired to admit light and ventilationtherebetween when the louvers in the roof section are closed.

Fixed to the trunnions at one end of the louvers are arms 19. The arms19 of the louvers which form the roof section 20 are pivotally connectedas at 21 to a common link 22 that extends along one of the slopingmembers 4. The arms 19 carried by the trunnions forming the drop portion23 of the awning are similarly connected by a link 24 that extends alongthe sloping portion 5 of the corresponding side frame. The adjacent endsof the links 22 and 24 are pivotally interconnected as at 25, and thepivot 25 is connected by an arm 26 which is pivotally attached by a pin27 to the side frame at the juncture of the portions 4 and 5 as bestshown in Fig. 4. The arm 26 corresponds in length to the arms 19 andoperates therewith in maintaining the same angular relationship of allthe louvers and to effect simultaneous movement of the link 24 uponoperation of the link 22.

The arms 13 of the louvers which provide the roof section 2% and thearms of the drop section 23 are therefore arranged so that when thelouvers of the roof section are closed, as shown in Fig. l, the louversin the drop section are substantially at the same angle and providespaces 28 therebetween for vision and ventilation when the louvers ofthe roof section are closed for protecting the window from sun and rain.The arm 19 nearest the wall of the building is connected with a crankarm 29 by which that arm is rocked to shift the connecting links andeifect like movement of all the other arms when adjusting the positionof the louvers as later described.

The invention also contemplates a mechanism for operating the louversfrom the interior of the building. This mechanism includes a shaft 34}that extends through an opening 31 which is bored through the Wall,preferably below or at the end of the window sill as shown in Figs. 2and 5. Fixed to the inner and outer sides of the wall are bearings 32and 33 having openings 34 and 35 which journal ends of the shaft 30. Theshaft 30 projects from the bearings 32 and 33 and the inner end carriesa knob 36 and the outer end a disk 37. The knob 36 has a clutchengagement with a bearing 32 so as to normally prevent rotation of theshaft 30 and thereby lock the louvers in adjusted position as laterdescribed.

The clutch mechanism illustrated includes one or more pins 38 projectinginwardly from the side of the knob and which are adapted to engage in acircular series of openings 39 in the adjacent face of the bearing 32.The shaft 30 is mounted for axial movement in the bearings 32 and 33 sothat the pins 38 may be engaged and disengaged with the openings 39. Theshaft 30 is,yield ingly retained in position to effect clutch engagementby a coil spring 40 having one end bearing against the disk 37 and itsother end against the bearing 33, as shown in Fig. 5. r

The crank arm 29 is connected with the disk 37 by a rod 41 that isadjustable as to length to accommodate mounting of the operating shaft30 relatively to the arm 29 and to properly position the louvers withrespect to the clutch engaging points for the knob 36. The rod 41therefore includes upper and lower sections 42 and 43 having threadedends 44 and 45 adjustably connected by a turnbuckle 46. The upper end ofthe rod 42 has a lateral terminal 47 that is journalled in an opening 48in the crank arm 29. The lower end of the rod section 43 has a similarterminal 49 that is journalled in an opening 50 eccentrically of thedisk 37 so that when the shaft 30 is rotated by means of the knob 36 thecrank arm is actuated to effect movement of the louvers.

In Fig. 6, the arms 19' for operating louvers are turned inwardly, andthe links 22 and 23: are connected by a bell crank lever 26', which ispivotally connected to the side frame so that the lever 26 rocks withthe arms 19.

The form of connection for rod sections 42' and 43' shown in Fig. 7includes a pair of clamping plates 52 and 53 having mating grooves 54and 55 to receive the ends of the rod sections 42'43 therein and whichare clamped together by a fastening device 56.

To install the awning the side frames 2 and 3 are attached to the sidesof a window 9 as shown and an opening 31 is bored through the wall belowthe window sill adjacent the side of the awning carrying the crank arm29. The bearings 32 and 33 for journalling the shaft 30 are attached tothe inner and outer faces of the wall in alignment with the bore opening31. The knob 36 is disconnected from the shaft and the shaft is movedthrough the respective bearings, after which the knob is reapplied andfixed securely to the shaft. Upon release of the knob 36 the coil spring46 moves the shaft so that the pins 38 engage in the recesses 39 of theinnerv bearing to normally retain the shaft from rotation. The terminalends of the connecting rod are respectively connected with the crank arm29 and the eccentric opening in the disk 37. The terminals of the rodare preferably retained in their respective openings by means of cotterpins 59. as shown in Fig. 5. The length of the rod may be adjusted toproperly position the louvers by manipulation of the turnbuckle 46 or byadjusting the clamp plates 52 and 53 as the case may be. After thisadjustment the knob 36 may be pulled outwardly to effect release ofclutch engagement and for rotation of the shaft and to effect rockingmovement of the crank. arm 29 through the rod connection 41. Movement ofthe crank arm 29 simultaneously actuates all of the louver arms 19 toeffect movement of the louvers in the respective roof and drop sections20 and 23 of the awning. When the knob 36 is rotated in one directionthe louvers in the roof section 20 are closed and the louvers in thedrop section 27 are opened at an angle to cooperate with the louvers inthe roof section in shading the window or protecting the window from theelements. The slanting open position of the louvers in the drop sectionprovided for ventilation and admit light therethrough when the louversin the roof section are closed. When the knob 36 is released the spring40 shifts the shaft to efliect clutch engagement to support the louversin their selected, adjusted position. When the knob 36 is again pulledoutwardly from clutch engagement and rotated, the louvers in the roofsection 20 are opened to provide ventilation and admit the desiredamount of sunlight. This movement of the louvers in the roof sectioneffects movement of the louvers in the drop section 23 to widen theeffective area of the opening between the louvers to permit a person tosee therebetween, as shown in Fig. 3.

Due to the. balancing of the louvers on the respective sides of theirpivotal axes there are no dead spots or irregular operation of the disk37 through its complete revolution or any portion thereof. Also thelouvers may be open or closed regardless of the direction in which theknob is turned.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a simple awning ofthe louver type and have provided a simple and inexpensive operatingmechanism for manipulating the louvers from the interior of a building.It is also obvious that the structure securely retains the louvers inadjusted position and eliminates looseness that might produce rattles inthe louvers or the like which connect them.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. An awningincluding spaced apart side frames each having a rafter portion and adepending terminal portion, trunnions spaced apart along the length ofthe rafter and terminal portions with the trunnions on one side frame inregistry with those on the other side frame, louvers extending acrossthe space between the side frames, clips on the ends of the trunnionsand connected with the ends of the louvers to support the louvers inaligning registry with the trunnions, arms in fixed relation with thelouvers and extending laterally of the trunnions at one end of thelouvers, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of the louverswhich are carried by the rafter portions of said side frames forretaining the louvers transversely parallel to provide a roof sectionfor said awning, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of thelouvers carried by the terminal portions of the brackets to maintain thelouvers transversely parallel and provide a ventilated front dropsection for the awning, a trunnion at the juncture of the rafter andterminal portions, a connector. arm on said trunnion, means pivotallyconnecting adjacent ends of the links with said connector arm forretaining a fixed relationship of the louvers providing the roof andfront drop sections of the awning, and means connected with one of saidarms to turn the louvers of said roof section coaxially of the trunnionsto close and open the louvers of the roof section while simultaneouslymoving the louvers of the front drop section by the interconneo tion ofthe links.

2. An awning including spaced apart side frames each having a rafterportion and a depending terminal portion, trunnions spaced apart alongthe length of the rafter and terminal portions with the trunnions on oneside frame in registry with those on the other side frame, louversextending across the space between the side frames, clips on the ends ofthe trunnions and connected with ends of the louvers to support thelouvers in aligning registry with the trunnions, arms in fixed relationwith the louvers and extending laterally of the trunnions at one end ofthe louvers, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of the louverswhich are carried by the rafter portions of said side frames forretaining the louvers transversely parallel to provide a roof sectionfor said awning, said louvers having front and rear marginal edgesoffset in opposite angular directions and equally disposed from the axisof the trunnions on which they are supported and whereby the frontmarginal edge of one louver is adapted to lap the rear marginal edge ofthe next louver, a link pivotally connecting all of the arms of thelouvers carried by the terminal portions of the brackets to maintain thelouvers transversely parallel and provide a ventilated front dropsection for the awning, a trunnion at the juncture of the rafter andterminal portions, a connector arm on said trunnion, means pivotallyconnecting adjacent ends of the links with said connector arm forretaining a fixed relationship of the louvers providing the roof andfront drop sections of the awning, and means connected withone of saidarms to turn the louvers of said roof section coaxially of the trunnionsto and from lapping relation of said marginal edges for closing andopening the louversof-the-roof section while simultaneously mov- 6 ingthe louvers of the front drop section by the intercon- 182,992 Byam Oct.10, 1876 nection of the links. 2,068,148 Moir Jan. 19, 1937 l 2,448,984Kraus Sept. 7, 1948 References Clted 1n me file of th1s patent 2,589,647Van Geldes et a1 Mar- 18, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,647,291 Russellet a1 Aug. 4, 1953 163,019 Lund May 11, 1875

